Department accused of ‘landgrab’ for school

Plans for the doubling in size of the Education Together primary school in Newcastle could involve an illegal ‘landgrab’ by the Department of Education, it has been claimed.

And the Department has been criticised for failing to consult properly with the neighbouring Croí Heart and Stroke Centre over traffic measures.

Neil Johnson, Chief Executive of the heart foundation, said he is not opposing the extension of the school in any way, but said there has been a lack of consultation, and he has safety concerns over a proposed roundabout and roadway to a new carpark, which will be located outside the Croí centre.

He said the existing traffic plans are dangerous because of the age profile and levels of mobility of patients in the centre.

He told the Galway City Tribune: “A substantial part of the work on the roundabout will be on our grounds, and we have not given consent.

“There are also safety concerns – the profile of people walking out of our centre will be older, possibly having had a stroke, with limited mobility. They will walk out onto a roundabout, so where are the protection rails and pedestrian crossings.

“We have no problem with the proposed building or the idea of an extension. Our issue is with the significance of a roundabout of that size and the lack of consultation.

“How can they expect to build on land which is ours? You don’t just go and build on somebody’s land without consent,” said Mr Johnson.

In a submission on the planning file, Mr Johnson wrote: “The current application will involve significant alterations to property under our control. While discussions with respect to this aspect of the school extension commenced shortly in advance of lodging the planning application, these discussions were not finalised and there are a number of aspects of the proposal which have significant implications for Croí.

“We were not aware that the Dept. was lodging the application in advance of reaching agreement with us, following which we were prepared to provide a letter of consent for the progress of the planning application.

“Without the [letter of consent] from us, the applicant does not have sufficient legal interest for the purposes of making this application,” Mr Johnson wrote.

The plans for the two-storey extension include eight classrooms, teachers’ rooms, library and set rooms.

There will also be a new access road to a carparking and drop-off facility with 32 spaces, a further 10 spaces in the existing carpark, a new ballcourt, junior play area and landscaped garden.

There will also be a new access road and roundabout to cater for both the new extension and a proposed community centre on an adjacent site.

A decision on the application is expected at the end of this month.